Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy announced the death of her father.

Edward Brown Snyder died Saturday.

In a statement, they spoke they had spoken with Snyder 12 hours before he died.

"He taught our family so much through his example and we will cherish his every lesson on a life well-lived," the couple said in a joint statement. "Though we already miss him, we know that his spirit will always be with us."

Murphy and his wife are in Israel as part of an overseas business trip.

“As a proud member of the Jewish faith, his final ask of us was to continue our trip to Israel," the joint statement said. "Ever the mensch, he left specific instructions for services to wait until our return."